A government entity demanding your entire online profile will do that.

Ironically, because I spoke up.

~

So 2013? Is not going to be about resolutions.

It’s going to be about not living in fear.

And if I needed to worry that my completely amazing readers would be joined by unfriendlies looking to dig up dirt here… then I’d rather address them head-on:

I write.

About my life.

About my family.

About my friends.

About my faith in Someone who makes it all worth it.

There is plenty of dirt in my life. It’s not hidden. It’s in painfully honest words all over my blog. I am insecure, burn dinner often, have 20 pounds to lose, am graying faster than I can dye, and I am.so.tired.

Instead of fixing the situation like we trust authorities to, “damage control” has been to undermine the words and experiences of an overwhelming majority of those who have witnessed my story.

In refusing to live in fear, this is as clearly as I can put it to you:

The best risk mitigation is to ensure that this neverever happens again.

(p.s… those aforementioned amazing readers and friends will be happy to share their thoughts once information reaches public domain. I hereby give fair warning of squirrels and elbutts and people who have their own pens and readerships and inability to ignore wrongs).

~

Thank you for sticking with us through a difficult 2012.

And for a real part of the writing I miss? It took weeks to filter and process. And I still feel pieces of Newtown every day.

That Friday, I was at work when the news rolled in. And each wave brought more horrifying details. I felt the overwhelming need to drive to Itty Bit’s school and just hold my not-so-itty boy.

When I arrived, he spotted me from across the gym and ran full force with a scream that lasted the entire way.

MOMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

He’s done this as long as he’s been uprightly mobile. Open mouth scream-smiling as he races into a jump-hug with wild arms that swing to find eachother and squeeze the oxygen from me. At two years old it was devastatingly charming.

And at six years old, it was painfully healing to my grieving heart.

It was a wordless gratitude that the sweet first-grader in my arms… his mind had not been touched by the unspeakable horror of the day.

As I stood there surrounded by a room of running jumping laughing arguing skipping noisy children, a staff member approached me.

“I wish all kids were that happy to see their parents”.

I nodded, unable to speak as the tears spilled and I squeezed the boy whose sneakers now dangled almost to my ankles.

The nearby shooting and Itty Bit’s school lockdown several months ago were fresh in my mind. He’d walked away unharmed. And in that incredibly busily normal gym full of crazy kids… I hugged and hugged my son and ached for the parents who were being utterly broken.

I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to be more intentional. Grateful. And I have 216 Lego injuries to prove it. Life is so incredibly short – and each of you readers have been a huge part of the good in mine.

26 comments:

God bless you, Rachel. And I mean that with all my heart. Praying he will pour grace and peace and health into your year. That Itty Bits joy will be untarnished and your and Mr. D's love will continue to grow. Whatever that "thing you can't talk about it" is God knows and will direct my prayers. Praying for firm footing and covering with his wings. Lots and lots of love, elbutts and squirrels for you all!

OK first don't freak I am not some newbie. G+ was not allowing anyone to respond to my comments by emailing me... sooo I had to make a secondary account specifically for my blog friends. Ya know like you and Mr. Daddy and Itty Bit. So it's me.. Angel Shrout.. except I couldn't use that name because , well I already use it on Google.I cannot wait until you get justice for the thing you cannot talk about. In that light did you know several states have made it ILLEGAL for jobs or potential employers to use your public profiles such as Facebook or to ask for you Password to such sites. Yeah I think that is only fair, unless the people we apply to work for want to give us theirs.. Just sayin'. You are gonna ROCK 2013 and I so hope you get back to writing again. I miss your face, and the laughs you bring me..

Tons of love, hugs & prayers for a fantastic happy memory filled year for you, Mr, Daddy & your precious treasure. Remember... the rain may last through the night... but his joy comes in the morning! Keep on keeping on!

Just thinking... you know, I had a situation at an old job that "I can't EVER talk about!" for legal reasons. Simply because I spoke up. Sounds similar to what you went through? That was very very hard and overwhelming for me, especially since I was a deafie in such a hearing environment. I hadn't started blogging yet then, so thank goodness for small miracles. And there is another deafie around here who is on the verge of going through that. Because she is speaking up, and it is so hard because you cannot counsel her regarding it... since its a "thing I can't talk about!" SO so so so unfair. It really makes me wonder about the "deaf" aspect. If we get punished harsher or if it just feels that way to us personally.

Here's hoping that 2013 brings you peace and comfort in knowing that you are loved by not only those you see and feel every day but those of us that are just out of arm's reach.

I'm trying to find a way to deal with working for a full fledged bully. The easy way is for me to find a new job and move one. The hard way is for me to speak up and hope for change. I know the fate of the last person to speak up and I don't want to face that fate, so I'm feeling that walking away is what I have to do to protect my own sanity and the career I've worked for 13 years to build. Even though I feel in my heart that it's not fair for the one with the incorrect behavior to be allowed to continue those behaviors, I know in my mind, I can't change this person or the behaviors, I can only change me.

Blessings to you in 2013 Rach, I have missed you. Although I don't comment all the time, I do keep up. I love your spirit, I love your humor, and well...I love you! Your a blessing to so many Rachel, you get it, and you sorta Rock at this thing called Life.. Now, hopefully in the new year, words will be there for you to share it. Your Awesomesauce!

I haven't said a word on any social media about the elementary school shooting because it just absolutely devastated me. I was working in a kindergarten room when the story broke and we were following the story on our phones. It was and still is horrific and I just have so many emotions about it.

Nolan no longer runs and jumps into my arms but when I work in his school and he sees me I always get a huge smile and all encompassing arm wave or he sneaks in a hug really quickly. It fills me with all kinds of joy and love every single time.

2013 will be your year. You and Mr Daddy and Itty Bit are three amazing tough people, and while I've never had the pleasure of meeting you in person, I am thrilled to call you my friend. (even though I am not a very present friend). I am praying that this is the year many things can be put behind you!!